Milking liner

ABSTRACT

A milking liner for an automated milking machine includes a barrel that moves between an uncollapsed position and a collapsed condition when it is subjected to a vacuum milking condition. The barrel defines at least three parallel channels open to the inner surface of the barrel. The configuration of the sidewall of the barrel and the channels cause the barrel to uniformly collapse when the barrel is subjected to a vacuum milking condition. In one configuration, ribs protrude from the barrel sidewall and define channels with the same wall thickness as the sidewall segments disposed between the ribs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application claiming priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/285,719 filed Oct. 31, 2011, which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 12/546,491 filed Aug. 24, 2009which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,176,873, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 11/170,733 filed Jun. 28, 2005 which issued as U.S.Pat. No. 7,578,260, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. Nos. 60/583,705 filed Jun. 29, 2004 and 60/683,277filed May 20, 2005; the disclosures of each patent and each applicationare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to milking liners.

2. Background Information

Automatic milking machines have been used to extract milk from differentmammals through most of the past century. Most of these machines includea claw that typically has four nipples that are connected to teat cupassemblies that are attached to the teats. The teat cup assembliesinclude a rigid (hard plastic or metal) shell with a resilient milkingliner (also known as a milking inflation) disposed within the shell. Ashort milk tube extends from the liner. A vacuum source is applied tothe short milk tube and an alternating vacuum is applied to the shell tocause the liner inside the shell to collapse and expand and therebymassage and suck milk from the teats. The milk flows from the liners,into the short milk tube, to the nipples of the claw, and from therethrough a conduit to a collection tank.

The liner is one of the few components of an automatic milking machinethat comes into direct contact with the animal. Liners have to collapseand expand to massage the teat to cause milk to flow. Numerous milkinginflation designs have been developed for collapsing on the teat indifferent manners. The art desires an inflation having an open,relatively large, readily collapsible sleeve that uniformly collapsesaround the teat to provide effective and comfortable milking. Thestructure of the sleeve should provide a reliable collapsingconfiguration and a long useful life. Liners that collapse and expandslowly are undesirable. Liners that pinch or otherwise irritate the teatare also undesirable.

Another problem with existing liners is the tendency for the short milktube to tear when the liner is removed from the teat and left to hangfrom the claw nipple by the short milk tube. When left to hang from theclaw, the short milk tube is bent against the tip of the claw nipplecausing the claw nipple to press into the inner surface of the shortmilk tube. In this position, the claw nipple can damage and eventuallytear into the inner surface of the short milk tube. The damage andtearing is hastened when the hanging liners are jostled orunintentionally pulled from the milk claw in a direction that peels theshort milk tube from the connector tube. The art desires a short milktube design that resists damage and tearing

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one configuration, the invention provides a milking liner for anautomated milking machine having a shell wherein the milking machineperiodically subjecting the liner to a vacuum milking condition. Themilking liner includes a barrel that moves between an uncollapsedposition and a collapsed condition when it is subjected to a vacuummilking condition. The barrel defines at least three parallel channelsopen to the inner surface of the barrel. The configuration of thesidewall of the barrel and the channels cause the barrel to uniformlycollapse when the barrel is subjected to a vacuum milking condition.

In another configuration, the invention provides a milking liner that isadapted to engage the shell at its upper and lower ends while being freeof interconnections with the shell between the upper and lower ends ofthe barrel. The barrel defines three ribs that are each parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the barrel with each rib defining a channel that isopen to the inner surface of the barrel. The barrel also defines threesemi-circular sidewall segments that each have a constant thickness.Each pair of semi-circular sidewall segments is separated from eachother by a rib. Each rib has an inner surface and an outer surface thatdefine a rib thickness with the rib thickness being equal to thethickness of the sidewall segments. The sidewall segments are movablebetween uncollapsed and collapsed conditions with the sidewall segmentsmoving to the collapsed condition during a vacuum milking condition. Thesidewall segments are bowed outwardly to generally define a circle whenthe segments are in the uncollapsed condition and each of the sidewallsegments is bowed inwardly in the collapsed condition.

The invention also provides a configuration for a short milk tubewherein an internal or external sleeve is used to reinforce the shortmilk tube against tearing.

The invention also provides a configuration for a short milk tubewherein ribs are used to prevent the tube from collapsing and/or toprevent the vent plug from being unintentionally forced from the shortmilk tube.

The invention also provides a configuration for a mouthpiece flangewherein ribs are used to seal the connection between the flange and theshell.

In another configuration, the invention provides a barrel for a milkingliner wherein the sidewall defines both interior and exterior channelsthat create hinges to allow the sidewall of the liner to uniformlycollapse.

In another configuration, the invention provides a barrel for a milkingliner wherein the sidewall defines hinge areas formed from a materialdifferent than the material of the sidewall segments to allow thesidewall of the liner to uniformly collapse.

In another configuration, the invention provides a barrel for a milkingliner wherein loaded transition areas at the top and bottom of thebarrel force the sidewall to collapse into a uniform collapsedcondition.

In another configuration, the invention provides a barrel for a milkingliner wherein a band is disposed around a middle portion of the barrelto predefine the manner in which the barrel will collapse when subjectedto a vacuum milking condition.

In another configuration, the band is combined with rods disposed alongthe outside of the barrel.

These configurations have been found to be useful alone or incombination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of one exemplary milking linerconfiguration.

FIG. 2A is a section view taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a view showing the liner section of FIG. 2A in a collapsedcondition.

FIG. 3A is an elevation view of another exemplary milking linerconfiguration.

FIG. 3B is a section view taken along line 3B-3B of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a short milk tube sleeve used with theliner configuration of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing anexemplary connection between a short milk tube sleeve and a short milktube.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view of another exemplary configurationfor a milking liner. FIG. 5A is a section view of a short milk tube witha short milk tube sleeve.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal section view of a milking claw nippledisposed inside the end of a short milk tube.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of another exemplary configuration of amilking liner.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section view of the liner of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a section view similar to FIG. 8 showing the liner disposedin a teat cup assembly with the liner positioned on a teat in anuncollapsed configuration.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a section view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing a collapsed configurationfor the liner.

FIG. 14 is a section view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a section view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 13.

FIGS. 16A-16D show four different liner wall configurations for amilking liner liner.

FIG. 16E is a schematic view showing how each of the wall configurationsof FIGS. 16A-16D collapse.

FIG. 16F is another wall configuration for a milking liner.

FIG. 16G shows the collapsed configuration for the wall configuration ofFIG. 16F.

FIGS. 17A-17D show four different liner wall configurations a milkingliner.

FIG. 17E is a schematic view showing how each of the wall configurationsof FIGS. 17A-17D collapse.

FIG. 17F is another wall configuration for a milking liner.

FIG. 17G shows the collapsed configuration for the wall configuration ofFIG. 17F.

FIGS. 18A-18D show four different liner wall configurations for amilking liner.

FIG. 18E is a schematic view showing how each of the wall configurationsof FIGS. 18A-18D collapse.

FIG. 18F is another wall configuration for a milking liner.

FIG. 18G shows the collapsed configuration for the wall configuration ofFIG. 18F.

FIG. 19 shows a section view similar to FIG. 12 for another exemplaryconfiguration of a milking liner.

FIG. 20 is a section view similar to FIG. 14 showing the liner of FIG.19 collapsing on the teat.

FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 15 showing the liner of FIG. 19 acollapsed configuration.

FIG. 22 is an elevation view of another exemplary configuration of amilking liner.

FIG. 23 is a section view taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a section view taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a section view taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 26 is a section view taken along line 26-26 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 27 is an elevation view of another exemplary configuration of amilking liner.

FIG. 28 is a longitudinal section view of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a section view of 29-29 of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a section view of 30-30 of FIG. 28.

FIG. 31 is a section view of 31-31 of FIG. 28.

FIG. 32 is an elevation view of another exemplary configuration of amilking liner.

FIG. 33 is a longitudinal section view of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is a section view taken along line 34-34 of FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is an elevation view of another exemplary configuration of amilking liner.

FIG. 36 is a longitudinal section view of FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is a section view taken along line 37-37 of FIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is an elevation view of an exemplary configuration for a shortmilk tube.

FIG. 39 is a section view taken along line 39-39 of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is an enlarged elevation view of the area of the short milk tubesurrounding the vent.

FIG. 41 is an elevation view of the milking liner of FIG. 38 with theshort milk tube bent 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe milking liner.

The drawings are not to scale. Similar numbers refer to similar partsthroughout the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary milking liner configuration is indicated generally by thenumeral 2 in FIG. 1. Milking liner 2 generally includes a short milktube 4, a sleeve or barrel 8 that is connected to short milk tube 4, anda mouthpiece 10. Barrel 8 is configured to quickly and uniformlycollapse during a vacuum milking condition (where the pressure insidethe barrel is significantly less than outside the barrel) from anuncollapsed (or expanded) condition to a collapsed condition. Barrel 8uniformly collapses as shown in FIG. 2B without interconnections withthe shell 136 so that liner 2 may be used with a wide variety ofexisting shells already used in the industry. A barrel configurationthat collapses uniformly (as shown in FIG. 2B and FIGS. 13-15) about ateat is desirable because a uniformly collapsing barrel 8 efficientlydraws milk from the teat and causes less irritation to the animal beingmilked. In the context of this application, a uniformly collapsingbarrel is one having at least three sidewall portions that move inwardlyto engage the teat at the collapsed condition. Exemplary uniformlycollapsed constructions are shown in at least FIGS. 2B, 15, 16G, 17G,18G, and 21.

In order to uniformly and reliable collapse from the resting uncollapsedposition (FIG. 2A) to the collapsed condition (FIG. 2B), barrel 8includes a sidewall 20 having an inner surface 22 that defines at leastthree longitudinally-disposed channels 24 that each extend substantiallyfrom mouthpiece 10 to transition bead 110. Each channel 24 may taper asit approaches each end. Each channel 24 stops short of transition bead110 but may extend through mouthpiece bead 26. The depth of each channel24 may be lessened as it passes through mouthpiece bead 26. Whenchannels 24 pass through or partially through bead 26, the thick beadportions 28 disposed intermediate each pair of channels 24 help to biassidewall 20 into collapsing into the desirable even collapse.

In some configurations, each channel 24 may have a depth that is lessthan the thickness of sidewall 20 as shown in FIGS. 15-18. In otherconfigurations, each channel 24 may have a depth equal to or larger thanthe thickness of sidewall 20. In these configurations, ribs 32 extendoutwardly from the outer surface 34 of sidewall 20 to provide room forchannels 24. In the exemplary configuration depicted in FIG. 2A, eachrib 32 extends far enough outwardly to allow the wall thickness 36 ofrib 32 to at least equal the wall thickness 38 of the sidewall segments40 disposed intermediate each pair of ribs 32. The thickness of each rib32 may be form to be still thicker from a dimension equal to sidewallthickness 38 to an apex thickness 42 disposed at the outermost portionof rib 32. The extra thickness at apex thickness 42 increases the usefullife of liner 2.

In one exemplary configuration that has been found to uniformlycollapse, each of the three sidewall segments 40 is semi-circular andsubstantially equal in thickness, diameter, and arc length. In thecollapsed condition, each of segments 40 is flexed inwardly of itscircular resting position. When there is no teat in liner 2, eachsegment 40 is bowed outwardly in the resting position and bowed inwardlyin the collapsed condition. When a teat is disposed in liner 2, each ofsegments 40 may be bowed inwardly depending of the size of the teat.Thicknesses 36 and 38 are 2.50 mm while each arc dimension 46 takenalong inner surface 22 is 15.32 mm. The radius of inner surface 22 is10.80 mm. In this configuration, the three segments comprise 68% of theinner circumference (67.86 mm). Segment configurations of 58% to 78% ofthe circumference will also allow the liner to collapse. Three ribs 32are equally disposed about sidewall 20 with the depth (3.69 mm) of eachchannel 24 being larger than thickness 38 of segments 40. The depth ofeach channel 24 may be in the range of 140% to 160% of sidewallthickness 38. Each channel has a rounded bottom. Each apex thickness 42(4.27 mm) is larger than thickness 36 of the rib walls. The arc opening44 (7.3 mm) of each channel 24 is 37% to 57% and more preferably between42% and 52% of the arc length 46 of each sidewall segment 40.

In the exemplary milking liner configuration of FIG. 1, a short milktube sleeve 60 has been separately formed and then slid onto short milktube 4. Interlocking fingers 62 alone or in combination with an adhesiveare used to secure sleeve 60 in place. Sleeve 60 may be fabricated froma different material than short milk tube 4 in order to help preventtube 4 from tearing against the nipple 96 (FIGS. 6 and 41) on themilking claw 98. For example, sleeve 60 may be fabricated from asignificantly harder material (such as PVC) than short milk tube 4.

FIGS. 3A-3C depict another configuration wherein sleeve 60 is fit over asection of short milk tube 4. Sleeve 60 may be held in place with anadhesive or with shoulders that protrude outwardly from tube 4. Shortmilk tube 4 may also have an inset section 64 that defines shoulders 66that secure sleeve 60 in place on short milk tube 4. Inset section maybe formed with a non-circular cross section as shown, for example, inFIG. 3B to prevent sleeve 60 from rotating with respect to milk tube 4.

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment wherein short milk tube 4 defines a pair ofopposed shoulders 66 that trap an internal sleeve 68 that is used tostrengthen milk tube 4. Sleeve 68 may be slid into the end of short milktube 4 by stretching the opening at the end of tube 4 over sleeve 68 andsliding sleeve 68 into tube 4 until sleeve 68 abuts the shoulder 66distal from the opening of tube 4. Sleeve 68 may be disposed along mostof the length of short milk tube 4 as shown in FIG. 5. Sleeve 68optionally may be disposed only toward the thickened tip of tube 4 suchthat sleeve 68 receives nipple 96. When configured as shown in FIG. 5,sleeve 68 may be rigid or may be flexible to allow short milk tube tobend up to 90 degrees.

FIG. 6 depicts another configuration for protecting short milk tube 4wherein nipple 96 is coating with a rubber, elastomeric, or plastic cap70 that prevents the sharp end of nipple 96 from directly engaging theinner surface of short milk tube 4. Cap 70 may be removably connected tonipple 96. Cap 70 may also be adhered to nipple 96 or provided in theform of a coating.

Another configuration for a milking liner is indicated generally by thenumeral 100 in FIGS. 7-15. As described above, liner 100 generallyincludes sleeve 8 connected to short milk tube 4 on one end and amouthpiece 102 at the other end of sleeve 8. Sleeve 8 is configured toquickly and uniformly collapse about the teat in the collapsed positionand then readily expand back to the uncollapsed position. In thisconfiguration, sleeve 8 defines three equally-spaced,longitudinally-disposed channels 104 that create weakened areas thatfunction as hinges 106 for the sidewall of sleeve 8. The weakened areas106 act as hinges when sleeve 8 is collapsed such that the sidewallportions 108 of sleeve 8 between channels 104 pivot with respect to eachother about weakened areas 106 so that the collapsed configuration ofsleeve 8 is predictable and uniformly distributed about the teat asshown in FIG. 14. This sleeve configuration provides an open uncollapsedconfiguration as shown in FIGS. 8 and 12 in order to provide ample roomfor the teat insertion while also providing a fully and uniformlycollapsed configuration as shown in FIGS. 13-15.

Each channel 104 may be substantially C-shaped and open to the innersurface of sleeve 8. Each channel 104 extends from mouthpiece 102 to atransition bead 110 that connects sleeve 8 to short milk tube 4.

FIGS. 16A-16D show additional configurations for sleeve 8. FIG. 16A isthe same configuration shown in FIGS. 7-15. FIG. 16B uses channels 104having substantially triangular cross-sectional configurations that formsmaller hinges 106. In FIG. 16C, interior channels 104 are combined withexterior channels 112 to form hinges 106. In FIG. 16C, both interiorchannel 104 and exterior channel 112 have substantially triangularcross-sectional configurations. In FIG. 16D exterior channels are usedwithout interior channels 104. In this configuration, exterior channels112 have the expanded C-shaped cross-section similar to FIG. 16A. Eachof these configurations collapses in an even triangular cross-section asshown schematically in FIG. 16E. A further configuration is shown inFIG. 16F wherein exterior channels 112 are offset from and disposedsubstantially between interior channels 104 such that each sidewallportion 108 is provided with a centrally-disposed hinge 114. Theconfiguration of FIG. 16F collapses in the configuration shown in FIG.16G.

FIGS. 17A-17G and 18A-18G show a variety of additional configurationsfor sleeve 8. In FIGS. 17A-17G, four interior channels 104 are usedalone or in combination with four exterior channels 112. Four exteriorchannels 112 may also be used alone. In FIGS. 17E and 17G, the collapsedconfiguration shows that the four sidewall portions 108 collapseuniformly towards each other from the circular uncollapsedconfiguration. In FIGS. 18A-18G, six channels are used to create sixsidewall portions 108 that collapse inwardly toward each other from thecircular uncollapsed configuration.

Mouthpiece 102 includes a mouth opening 120 defined by a lip 122 thatextends circumferentially about opening 120. The diameter of opening 120is equal to or less than the interior diameter of the upper portion ofsleeve 8 so that liner 100 will securely hold itself on the teat asshown in FIG. 11. Mouthpiece 102 includes a plurality of ribs 124disposed under and radially outwardly of lip 122 to support lip 122.Ribs 124 are smoothly tapered from lip 122 to the outer sidewall 126 ofmouthpiece 102. A generally cylindrical flange 128 extends downwardlyfrom outer sidewall 126. Flange 128 defines an annular recess 130 withsidewall 126 and an inner sidewall 132 that is adapted to frictionallyreceive the top end 134 of shell 136 that forms the vacuum chamber 138with liner 100. The inwardly facing surface 140 of flange 128 defines aplurality of annular ribs 142 that are formed by a sinusoidal portion ofinner surface 140. Ribs 142 cooperate with the outer surface of shell136 to form a seal and a plurality of pockets to catch any debris thattries to work its way between shell 136 and flange 128. In the exemplarydrawings, four ribs 142 are used to create this seal.

Another configuration of a milking liner is indicated generally by thenumeral 200 in FIGS. 19-21. A sleeve 202 is formed with sidewallportions 204 and hinges 206. Hinges 206 are formed from a material thatis substantially easier to flex than the material used to form sidewallportions 204 so that sleeve 202 collapses in the predictableconfiguration shown in FIGS. 20 and 21.

Another configuration of a milking liner is indicated generally by thenumeral 300 in FIGS. 22-26. Liner 300 uses a sleeve 8 similar to liner100 with channels 104 extending longitudinally and defining the hingesand sidewall portions as described above. Liner 300 includes amouthpiece 302 and a transition bead 304 that have intermediate sidewallportions having cross-sectional configurations that match the hingeconfiguration of sleeve 8 to help bias sidewall portions 108 inwardlywhen sleeve 8 is subjected to the vacuum forces that cause it to movefrom the uncollapsed configuration to the collapsed configuration. Inthe exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 22, the intermediate sidewallsections are triangular. When sleeve 8 is formed with four or six hinges106, the intermediate sidewall portions shown in FIGS. 24 and 26 will besquare and hexagonal. The cross-sectional views of FIGS. 23-26 show thatthe corners of the triangular intermediate sidewall align with channels104. In mouthpiece 302, the interior sidewall tapers smoothly from around cross-section at 310 to a triangular cross-section 312 and thenback to the round cross-section at 314. Transition bead 304 tapers in asimilar manner from a round cross-section at 320 to a triangularcross-section at 322 and then smoothly to a round cross-section at 324(the inner surface 28 of milk tube 4).

Another configuration of a milking liner is indicated generally by thenumeral 400 in FIGS. 27-31. Liner 400 uses mouthpiece 102 and milk tube4 as described above. Liner 400 includes a sleeve 402 that uses thelongitudinal channels 104 to form hinges 106 as described above. A band410 is integrally formed in sleeve between 40 and 60 percent of theoverall length of sleeve 402. Band 410 includes corners 412 thatprotrude from the outer surface of sleeve 402. Band 410 increases thelikelihood that sleeve 402 will fully collapse into the desired shape bystrengthening the walls at the hinges. The protruding corners 412 ofband 410 are aligned with hinges 106. FIG. 28 shows that channels 104are disconnected at the central wall 414 of protruding band 410. Eachchannel 104 may taper at areas 416. Central wall 414 thus provides aconstant sidewall thickness band about the center of sleeve 402.Protruding corners 412 are thus more difficult to collapse inwardly andcooperate with hinges 106 to cause sidewall portions 108 to collapseinwardly in the predictable configuration discussed above. Whendifferent numbers of hinges 106 are used as discussed above, differentnumbers of protruding corners 412 are correspondingly used to have thesame result.

Another configuration of a milking liner is indicated generally by thenumeral 500 in FIGS. 32-34. Liner 500 includes a modified liner 100 incombination with an outer band 502. Band 502 has a thicknesssubstantially equal to the thickness of sidewall portions 108 and may bemade from the same material as sleeve 8. In this embodiment, sleeve 8 ofliner 100 may be optionally modified to include positioning ribs 504that are used to maintain the position of outer band 502 on sleeve 8.Band 502 is positioned at the end of or below the end of the teat toallow sleeve 8 to have room for teat insertion when sleeve 8 isuncollapsed.

When band 502 is positioned on sleeve 8, sleeve 8 tapers from its roundcross-sectional configurations where it is connected to mouthpiece 102and transition bead 110 to a partially collapsed configuration whereband 502 is located. The shape of the partially collapsed configurationis determined by the interaction between the interior band 502 and thestructure of sleeve 8. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention,band 502 has a substantially triangular shape in its resting position.The inside surface of band 502 is, however, hexagonally shaped throughthe use of positioning ribs 506 that are disposed at the interiorcorners of band 502. Band 502 may be provided in other shapes to matchthe configuration of hinges 106 or sleeve 8. Ribs 506 have flat innersurfaces 508 that flatten hinges 106 when band 502 is installed onsleeve 8 as depicted in FIG. 34. Band 502 thus only slightly compressesthe central portion of sleeve 8 so that sleeve 8 smoothly tapers fromits round cross-sectional ends to its hexagonal cross-sectional middle.Band 502 prevents sleeve 8 from collapsing in an oval shape by providingsupport outside of sidewall portions 108.

Another configuration of a milking liner is indicated generally by thenumeral 600 in FIGS. 35-37. Liner 600 also uses a band 602 about amiddle portion of sleeve 8. In this embodiment, a plurality of rods 604are disposed along the outer surface of the sidewall of sleeve 8 tosupport sleeve 8 and prevent sidewall portions 108 from undesirablyflexing outwardly. Rod 604 may be fabricated from a substantially rigidmaterial such as metal or plastic. Rods 604 are held in position inpockets 606 disposed adjacent mouthpiece 102 and transition bead 110.The ends of each rod 604 may include protuberances that snap fit intothe sidewall of pocket 606 to hold rod 604 in place. In general, rods604 are held in place through the interference fit because rods 604 arelonger than the opening between corresponding pocket 606.

Another configuration of a short milk tube 4 is depicted in FIGS. 38-41.In this configuration, short milk tube 4 includes a plurality ofexternal ribs 700 that reinforce milk tube 4 and preventing it fromkinking when tube 4 is bent up to 90 degrees as shown in FIG. 41. Ribs700 are solid and integrally formed with the body of short milk tube 4.In the exemplary embodiment, ribs 700 are evenly distributed about shortmilk tube 4 at 90 degree intervals. Each rib 700 has a thickness 702that is at least equal to the wall thickness 704 of short milk tube 4.Ribs 700 may be formed to have the same cross sectional shape and crosssectional dimensions (such as height 705) as the ribs 706 disposed atthe tip 708 of short milk tube 4.

Another aspect of short milk tube 4 is shown in FIG. 40 wherein one ofribs 700 is split into two arms 710 that extend around vent plug 712.Arms 710 reinforce the wall of short milk tube at the location of ventplug 712 to limit the amount that the wall bends at the vent pluglocation. Limiting the bending of the wall at the location of vent plug712 helps prevent the plug from being unintentionally forced or flexedout of the wall.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued. The different configurations described herein may be usedalone or in combination with other configurations.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A milking liner for an automated milkingmachine having a shell; the milking machine periodically subjecting theliner to a vacuum milking condition; the milking liner comprising: abarrel having an upper end and a lower end; the barrel having an innersurface and an outer surface; a mouthpiece bead disposed at the upperend of the barrel; a mouthpiece having an upper end and a lower end; thelower end of the mouthpiece being connected to the upper end of thebarrel; the mouthpiece bead being disposed at the lower end of themouthpiece; the barrel having a longitudinal axis; the barrel definingat least three channels open to the inner surface of the barrel; eachchannel being disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe barrel; each channel having an upper end and a lower end; the upperend of each channel terminating at the mouthpiece bead; the barrelhaving a plurality of sidewall segments; each sidewall segment beingdisposed intermediate two channels; each sidewall segment having anouter surface that defines a portion of the outer surface of the barrel;the sidewall segments being movable between uncollapsed and collapsedconditions; the sidewall segments being in the collapsed conditionduring the vacuum milking condition; and wherein the upper end of eachchannel is tapered.
 2. The milking liner of claim 1, wherein the barreldefines a rib aligned with each channel; each rib projecting radiallyoutwardly beyond the radial position of the outer surfaces of thesidewall segments.
 3. The milking liner of claim 2, wherein each of theribs has an inner surface and an outer surface that define a ribthickness; the inner surface of each rib having an inner rib apex. 4.The milking liner of claim 1, wherein the channels define weakened areasof the barrel that function as hinges for the sidewall segments of thebarrel.
 5. The milking liner of claim 1, wherein the outer surface ofthe barrel is cylindrical and free of protruding ribs.
 6. The milkingliner of claim 1, wherein the collapsed condition of the barrel is auniform collapsed condition.
 7. The milking liner of claim 1, whereinthe sidewall segments are bowed outwardly to generally define a circlewhen the segments are in the uncollapsed condition; and each of thesidewall segments being bowed inwardly in the collapsed condition.
 8. Amilking liner for an automated milking machine having a shell; themilking machine periodically subjecting the liner to a vacuum milkingcondition; the milking liner comprising: a barrel having an upper endand a lower end; the barrel having an inner surface and an outersurface; a mouthpiece bead disposed at the upper end of the barrel; amouthpiece having an upper end and a lower end; the lower end of themouthpiece being connected to the upper end of the barrel; themouthpiece bead being disposed at the lower end of the mouthpiece; thebarrel having a longitudinal axis; the barrel defining at least threechannels open to the inner surface of the barrel; each channel beingdisposed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrel; eachchannel having an upper end and a lower end; the upper end of eachchannel terminating at the mouthpiece bead; the barrel having aplurality of sidewall segments; each sidewall segment being disposedintermediate two channels; each sidewall segment having an outer surfacethat defines a portion of the outer surface of the barrel; the sidewallsegments being movable between uncollapsed and collapsed conditions; thesidewall segments being in the collapsed condition during the vacuummilking condition; and wherein the lower end of each channel is tapered.9. The milking liner of claim 8, further comprising a transition beaddisposed at the lower end of the barrel.
 10. The milking liner of claim9, wherein the lower end of each channel is defined by the transitionbead.
 11. A milking liner for an automated milking machine having ashell; the milking machine periodically subjecting the liner to a vacuummilking condition; the milking liner comprising: a mouthpiece defining amouth opening and a sidewall that defines a mouthpiece bead; themouthpiece having an upper end and a lower end; the being disposed atthe lower end of the mouthpiece; a barrel having an upper end and alower end; the upper end of the barrel being connected to the lower endof the mouthpiece; the barrel having an inner surface and an outersurface; the barrel defining at least three channels open to the innersurface of the barrel; each channel having an upper end and a lower end;the upper end of each channel terminating at the mouthpiece bead; thebarrel having a plurality of curved sidewall segments that each has amaximum thickness; each curved sidewall segment being disposedintermediate two channels; the barrel movable between uncollapsed andcollapsed conditions; the barrel being in the collapsed condition duringthe vacuum milking condition; and wherein the upper end of each channelis tapered.
 12. The milking liner of claim 11, wherein the channelsdefine weakened areas of the barrel that function as hinges for thesidewall segments of the barrel.
 13. The milking liner of claim 11,wherein the outer surface of the barrel is generally cylindrical andfree of protruding ribs.
 14. The milking liner of claim 11, wherein thecollapsed condition of the barrel is a uniform collapsed condition. 15.The milking liner of claim 11, wherein the mouthpiece sidewall includesan outer sidewall with a flange extending from the outer sidewall; themouthpiece sidewall also having an inner sidewall; an annular recessbeing defined between the flange and the inner sidewall; the annularrecess being adapted to receive a top end of the shell; the annularrecess being disposed intermediate the upper end of each channel and themouth opening.
 16. The milking liner of claim 11, wherein the curvedsidewall segments are bowed outwardly to generally define a circle whenthe barrel is in the uncollapsed condition; and each of the curvedsidewall segments is bowed inwardly when the barrel is in the collapsedcondition.
 17. The milking liner of claim 11, wherein the barrel definesa rib aligned with each channel; each rib projecting radially outwardlybeyond the radial position of the outer surfaces of the sidewallsegments.
 18. The milking liner of claim 11, wherein each channel has adepth less than the maximum thickness of the sidewall segments adjacentto that channel.
 19. A milking liner for an automated milking machinehaving a shell; the milking machine periodically subjecting the liner toa vacuum milking condition; the milking liner comprising: a mouthpiecedefining a mouth opening and a sidewall that defines a mouthpiece bead;the mouthpiece having an upper end and a lower end; the upper end of themouthpiece defining the mouth opening; the mouthpiece bead beingdisposed at the lower end of the mouthpiece; a barrel having an upperend and a lower end; the upper end of the barrel being connected to thelower end of the mouthpiece; the barrel having an inner surface and anouter surface; the barrel defining at least three channels open to theinner surface of the barrel; each channel having an upper end and alower end; the upper end of each channel terminating at the mouthpiecebead; the barrel having a plurality of curved sidewall segments thateach has a maximum thickness; each curved sidewall segment beingdisposed intermediate two channels; the barrel movable betweenuncollapsed and collapsed conditions; the barrel being in the collapsedcondition during the vacuum milking condition; and wherein the lower endof each channel is tapered.
 20. The milking liner of claim 19, furthercomprising a transition bead disposed at the lower end of the barrel.21. The milking liner of claim 20, further comprising a short milk tubeextending from the transition bead.
 22. A milking liner for a milkingmachine that periodically subjecting the liner to a vacuum milkingcondition; the milking liner comprising: a mouthpiece defining a mouthopening and a sidewall that defines an annular mouthpiece sealing area;the mouthpiece having an upper end and a lower end; the upper end of themouthpiece defining the mouth opening; the annular mouthpiece sealingarea being disposed at the lower end of the mouthpiece; a barrel havingan upper end and a lower end; the upper end of the barrel beingconnected to the lower end of the mouthpiece; the barrel having an innersurface and an outer surface; the barrel defining at least threechannels open to the inner surface of the barrel; each channel having anupper end and a lower end; the upper end of each channel being taperedand terminating at a location with the annular mouthpiece sealing areadisposed between the upper end of the channel and the upper end of themouthpiece; the barrel having a plurality of curved sidewall segments;each curved sidewall segment being disposed intermediate two channels;and the barrel movable between uncollapsed and collapsed conditions; thebarrel being in the collapsed condition during the vacuum milkingcondition.
 23. The milking liner of claim 22, wherein the mouthpiecesidewall includes an outer sidewall with a flange extending from theouter sidewall; the mouthpiece sidewall also having an inner sidewall;an annular recess being defined between the flange and the innersidewall; the annular recess being adapted to receive a top end of theshell; the annular recess being disposed intermediate the upper end ofeach channel and the mouth opening.
 24. The milking liner of claim 22,wherein the barrel defines a rib aligned with each channel; each ribprojecting radially outwardly beyond the radial position of the outersurfaces of the sidewall segments.
 25. The milking liner of claim 24,wherein the sidewall segments are bowed outwardly to generally define acircle when the segments are in the uncollapsed condition; and each ofthe sidewall segments being bowed inwardly in the collapsed condition.26. The milking liner of claim 22, wherein the lower end of each channelis tapered.
 27. The milking liner of claim 26, further comprising atransition bead disposed at the lower end of the barrel; the lower endof each channel being at least partially defined by the transition bead.